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| ▲ Former Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung announces his presidential bid ahead of the June 3 election, triggered by the ouster of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, in a video message, in this image provided by his camp on April 10, 2025. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
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| ▲ A TV screen at Seoul Station in the center of the capital on April 10, 2025, shows a video message by former Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung declaring his presidential bid. (Yonhap) |
(LEAD) ex-DP leader-presidential bid
(LEAD) Former DP leader Lee declares presidential bid
(ATTN: REWRITES lead; UPDATES paras 4-10, 13; ADDS photo)
SEOUL, April 10 (Yonhap) -- Former Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung declared his presidential bid for the June election Thursday, vowing to become "the best tool" to serve the people and prioritize efforts to boost economic growth.
Lee, considered the front-runner in the June 3 presidential election triggered by the ouster of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, announced his bid a day after he stepped down from the chairmanship of the liberal party.
"I do not just want a country that only carries the name 'Republic of Korea,' but I want to help build a real Republic of Korea," Lee said in an 11-minute video message. "Such a Korea is created by its people and I hope to become a great tool -- the best tool -- of our great people."
Lee cited economic growth as the first goal of his policy, saying the incumbent government has neglected the country's economy for the past three years.
"Investment in advanced science and technology is important, but the problem is that the level of science and technology has become so advanced that individual companies cannot afford it," he said, stressing the need to increase investment at the governmental level.
Lee has recently sought to break away from the DP's traditional pro-labor stance and to be seen as more business-friendly in a bid to appeal to conservative and centrist voters ahead of the election.
On foreign policy, Lee highlighted the importance of the alliance between South Korea and the United States, as well as trilateral cooperation involving Japan, but pledged to pursue policies that prioritize South Korea's interests first.
Lee also touched on Yoon's short-lived martial law declaration in the video, showing scenes of citizens on the streets in celebration after the Constitutional Court ruled last week to remove Yoon from office.
"The greatness of South Korea's democracy does not lie in the constitutional system itself but in the greatness of the people," Lee said.
Lee's focus on Yoon's impeachment is seen as an effort to distinguish himself from People Power Party candidates in the lead-up to the presidential election and as a figure capable of leading the country through the aftermath of the Dec. 3 martial law.
Officials said Lee will hold a press conference at the National Assembly on Friday to present his vision for the nation and announce the members of his election campaign.
Lee has been leading in early opinion polls though he is at the heart of several scandals, including a land development scandal in Seongnam, south of Seoul.
This is Lee's third presidential bid, following 2017 and 2022, and he lost the presidential race to Yoon by a thin margin three years ago.
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